Why would a healthy person need a stent?

Why is a heart stent placed? When a fatty substance called plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, it can limit blood flow and weaken the blood vessel. A heart stent is placed to reinforce the structure of the blood vessel, and to preserve healthy blood flow to the heart muscle.

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What causes a person to need a stent?

A stent may be used as treatment for narrowed arteries caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition when plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your legs, arms, or abdomen. Stents may be used to treat PAD symptoms and help prevent future health problems caused by reduced blood flow.

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What are signs you need a stent?

Chest pain (angina) that worsens when you engage in physical activities. Shortness of breath that accompanies physical activity. Chest pain that doesn't improve when you've taken medication or made lifestyle changes.

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Can you have a stent without having a heart attack?

Elective angioplasty is angioplasty and possibly stenting to treat stable angina. In other words, the procedure is used to improve blood flow through a partially blocked artery for a patient who is not in immediate danger of having a heart attack.

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Is getting a stent a big deal?

Carotid stenting is a serious procedure requiring hospital admission. However, it is a commonly performed and relatively safe procedure done by a qualified doctor. Serious complications are rare, and the benefits of the procedure outweigh the risks.

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How long does a heart stent last

22 related questions found

How common is having a stent put in?

An estimated two million people get coronary artery stents every year, and if you have coronary artery disease, there is a good chance your doctor will suggest you get one.

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How many years does a stent last?

How long will a stent last? It is permanent. There is just a 2–3 per cent risk of narrowing coming back, and if that happens it is usually within 6–9 months.

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At what percent blockage requires a stent?

By clinical guidelines, an artery should be clogged at least 70 percent before a stent should be placed, Resar said.

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What is the alternative to heart stent?

The most widely used surgical alternative to a coronary angioplasty is a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).

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Can you live long after a heart stent?

It depends primarily on the underlying heart disease, age, and medical condition of the patient. A younger patient, for example, who has a strong heart and has never experienced a heart attack, will be expected to live a full and active lifespan.

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How can you prevent a heart stent?

Healthy lifestyle changes include stopping smoking, eating a more heart-healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise. For some people, coronary bypass surgery may be done instead of stent placement.

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Are heart stents a big deal?

The meta-analysis showed that stents delivered no benefit over medical therapy for preventing heart attacks or death for patients with stable coronary artery disease. Still, many cardiologists argued, stents improved patients' pain. It improved their quality of life.

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Why would a stent be put in the heart?

Why is a heart stent placed? When a fatty substance called plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, it can limit blood flow and weaken the blood vessel. A heart stent is placed to reinforce the structure of the blood vessel, and to preserve healthy blood flow to the heart muscle.

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Is putting a stent in heart major surgery?

Stenting is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning it is not considered major surgery. Stents can be made of metal mesh, fabric, silicone, or combinations of materials. Stents used for coronary arteries are made of metal mesh. Fabric stents, also called stent grafts, are used in larger arteries such as the aorta.

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What are the disadvantages of a stent?

In a small percentage of patients with stents, blood cells can become sticky and clump together to form a small mass – or clot. When a blood clot forms, it can block the free flow of blood through an artery and may cause a heart attack or even death.

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Can you have medication instead of a stent?

Optimal medical therapy safe and effective for most with coronary artery disease. ISCHEMIA is not the first study to demonstrate that OMT is a safe and effective alternative to stent placement.

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Is it painful to have a heart stent put in?

You might feel pressure in the area where the catheter is inserted. You may also feel some mild discomfort when the balloon is inflated and your artery is stretched, but typically you shouldn't feel any sharp pain during the procedure.

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How long do heart stents last?

They are made to be permanent — once a stent is placed, it's there to stay. In cases when a stented coronary artery does re-narrow, it usually happens within 1 to 6 months after placement.

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Can an artery be unblocked without a stent?

The largest research study of its kind has found that drugs can be just as effective as stents and surgery for treating blocked arteries. Results of the study, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, were released on November 16.

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What does a small heart blockage feel like?

Small vessel disease signs and symptoms include: Chest pain, squeezing or discomfort (angina), which may get worse with activity or emotional stress. Discomfort in the left arm, jaw, neck, back or abdomen along with chest pain. Shortness of breath.

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Can I drink alcohol after heart stent?

Answer: If you are someone who typically drinks alcohol each day, a wine, a beer, something like that, it's probably better not to drink alcohol for the first month after you get home to allow your heart to recover.

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How long is the recovery time after having a stent put in?

It generally takes most people a couple of weeks to start returning to their normal activities after angioplasty/stenting. Before you leave hospital, you'll be given detailed instructions for exercise, medications, follow-up appointments, ongoing wound care and resuming normal activities.

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How often should stents be checked?

As recommended in the National Disease Management Guidelines (6), patients with coronary heart disease and those who have undergone stent implantation should be followed up regularly (every three to six months) by their primary care physicians, independently of any additional visits that may be necessitated by ...

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What foods to avoid after getting a stent?

Large pieces of beef, poultry, pork and shellfish are most likely to cause a blockage of your stent: o Shred, mince or grind meats and shellfish. o Slow cook meats until tender. o Fish the texture of salmon, tuna, cod and tilapia do not need to be modified. Breads and dried fruits may cause blockage of your stent.

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Do you feel better after a stent?

Myth: The angioplasty procedure and stent fixed my heart problems. Fact: You should feel better immediately after your angioplasty because it opened your blocked blood vessel and blood started to flow freely.

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